This year my flavor king graft was damaged pretty badly by borers. I think because it doesn’t produce many leaves it is more susceptible to sun burn and borer attacks. Luckily I had grafted some more flavor king to a lower area that has grow pretty well this summer.
My question is, should I abandon this graft after this summer and focus growth on the new graft or keep it?
Keep both if you can. There’s no hurry to take out the damaged wood. I would paint it white with interior latex paint.
Agree with Fruitnut but I would treat with lime sulphur to attempt killing borers before painting. Treat entire tree bark only
Dennis
Kent, wa
Thanks, what is the appropriate time to apply this? I’ve never used lime sulfur. I’m guessing I should apply after harvesting fruit. Is lime sulfur a typical way to kill borers? I believe these are flat headed borers as they have the flat/heart shaped head.
I’ve never seen damage like that.The top photo looks like somebody skinned it with a knife.
Yeah that is exactly what happened. That entire area was dead from the borers. So I cut away at it with a knife to find them and kill them.
You should apply it asap no need to wait on more damage. Treat entire bark of tree not on foliage
Everything said above and i would also do two bridge graft if possible to save the FK graft. The graft is big enough and fruiting i think it is worth saving it rather than cutting it.
Is lime sulfur something I will be able to get at a local store or will I need to purchase it online? And do you all have a specific brand you like to use?
I’ve been wanting to have a reason to try a bridge graft. So that’s a great idea. I’ll have to give it a go. Borers have definitely been my number one pest. They have done quite some damage on my apple, apricot, plum, and even killed a sad looking cherry tree this year that was going to fruit for the first time. The worst damage has been done to the trees when they were young.
